But Chinese rider has no illusions about Rio results

Alex Hua Tian was understandably distraught when, competing in three-day eventing as China's first and only Olympic equestrian, he was thrown from his horse at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Now 26, and with Rio firmly in his sights, the tall rider with the 'one-in-a-billion' nickname feels that painful experience may ultimately have been all for the best.